Analysts once hailed cobalt as a commodity whose price would rise forever. Used in the cathodes of many lithium-ion batteries to extend the life of the battery cell, investors and mine operators eagerly anticipated high returns on all cobalt investments. However, cobalt prices recently dropped to record lows amid global oversupply and a widespread slowdown […]
Category: Metal Prices
Global Precious Metals MMI: Precious Metal Prices Rise Amid Hamas/Israel War
Last month, the Global Precious Metals MMI (Monthly MetalMiner Index) finally broke its sideways trend, dropping 3.15%. However, after the Hamas attack on Israel, both gold and silver prices reacted strongly with dramatic increases. Furthermore, surge affected both spot precious metal prices and 3-month futures. This proved a result of investors running to these two […]
Renewables/GOES MMI: Index Goes Up, Lithium-Ion Battery Dilemmas
The Renewables MMI (Monthly Metals Index) saw a welcome boost month-on-month, rising 6.27%. Grain-oriented electrical steel, silicon, and neodymium were the main factors that increased the index, while the lithium-ion battery market remains a point of contention. In the case of silicon, futures initially rose back in June due to production cuts within China, the […]
Stainless MMI: Stainless Mills Scramble for Orders as Nickel Prices Hit 2-year Low
Nickel prices remained decidedly bearish throughout October, experiencing the largest monthly decline amongst base metals. Indeed, prices fell over 7% to their lowest level since October 2021. Overall, the Stainless Monthly Metals Index (MMI) continued to decline, dropping 5.74% from September to October. Crush the competition by getting access to weekly exclusive nickel market intel. Opt into MetalMiner’s free […]
Construction MMI: Steel Prices Drop & Construction Impact on Steel Demand
Month-over-month, the Construction MMI (Monthly Metals Index) narrowly missed trading completely flat, ultimately moving sideways with just a 0.2% increase. Meanwhile, steel prices, specifically h-beam steel and steel rebar costs, either dropped or traded sideways, as did bar fuel surcharges. Energy have risen at an astounding rate since 2021 due to high inflation and geopolitical […]
Raw Steels MMI: Will Cliffs’ Price Hike Shift Steel Prices?
The Raw Steels Monthly Metals Index (MMI) rose 3.45% from August to September. Flat rolled steel prices remained bearish throughout September. Meanwhile, hot rolled coil prices continued to show the largest decline, falling to their lowest levels since December 2022. By the end of September, prices sat only 4% above their last major low. Meanwhile, […]
Rare Earths MMI: Burmese Mining Suspension Causes Prices for Rare Earth to Shoot Up
The Rare Earths MMI (Monthly Metals Index) witnessed yet another steep increase month-over-month. Indeed, supply disruptions remain a massive concern in the rare earths industry, so rare earth magnets and other materials witnessed renewed bullish strength across the board over recent months. In August, market worries arose prior to a planned environmental inspection of China’s […]
Copper Price Roller Coaster a Wild Ride in 2023: From Highs to Lows and Back Again
It’s safe to say that the copper price index witnessed an interesting 2023 thus far. Indeed, the market’s been volatile, so there were more than the usual ups and downs. Mid-year, prices registered a major tumble because of the fumble in China’s economy. However, soon after, they began clawing back to a respectable level. Prices […]
U.S. Lithium Startups Turn to Uncle Sam as Corporate Funding Dwindles
For years, lithium startups have enjoyed easy funding. But as the global lithium price plummets, that all seems poised to change. Indeed, the aforementioned funds mainly stemmed from battery users hoping to secure a reliable source of lithium and venture capitalists looking to score big while helping close the gap on domestically produced lithium products. […]
Precious Metals MMI: Precious Metal Prices Like Gold and Silver Could Reverse
Month-over-month, the Precious Metals MMI (Monthly Metals Index) witnessed almost no movement and narrowly missed trading flat. Indeed, the index remained sideways, only dropping by a slight 0.11%. That said, the Fed’s stance on holding interest rates at an elevated level could impact precious metal prices in the near future. Interestingly enough, scrap precious metal […]